William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616

   There can be no more famous English writer than the man we all know as the 'Bard of Avon'. William Shakespeare was born of quite humble stock in the turbulence of sixteenth century England. Like from little acorns mighty oaks grow and so it is from such a modest beginning that Shakespeare became probably the world's most famous writer of plays, essays and also over 150 sonnets (14 line verses). His plays are formulated in rhyming couplets with the essence of each line equally as confusing as it is crystal clear.    His writing not only seems to enlighten the motivation, the soul if you will, of such esteemed characters as Lady Macbeth but to bring the very character to life for the reader or theatre-goer. Through his words we feel the loves, loathes, fears and desires of a wide range of characters from any number of works. So prolific was Shakespeare that there are those who claim that 'he' was more than one person, perhaps even another person entirely. As with any legend the rumours are as readily disproved as they are proved.
   A native of Stratford-upon-Avon in the county of Warwickshire Shakespeare's memory provides a major percentage of the town's income. Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Anne being his wife and mother of his children, being the main focal point for visitors far and wide.
    The recently resurrected Globe Theatre in Greenwich, South London, where Shakespeare's plays were performed in his lifetime, stands as testament to the affection and esteem in which his work is held to the present day.